The World Archaeological Congress salutes the Getty Museum’s recent adoption of the Philadelphia Resolution that collectors and museums should not acquire or accept antiquities without documentary proof that they were known and published or documented prior to UNESCO’s 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property was adopted.

“The Philadelphia Resolution protects museums and other institutions from inadvertently buying looted artefacts,” said Professor Smith, President of the World Archaeological Congress.

“The World Archaeological Congress invites the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Boston Museum of Fine Arts and other major institutions, both within the United States and outside it, to follow the lead of the Getty in this important matter,” said Professor Smith.

Background:
The World Archaeological Congress (WAC) is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organization and is the only elected international body of practising archaeologists. WAC holds an international congress every four years to promote the exchange of the results of archaeological research; professional training and public education for disadvantaged nations, groups and communities; the empowerment and betterment of Indigenous groups and First Nations peoples; and the conservation of archaeological sites.

The Sixth World Archaeological Congress (WAC-6) was held from 29th June—4th July at the University College Dublin. This was the first World Archaeological Congress to be held in Ireland. It was attended by over 1,800 archaeologists, native peoples and international scholars from 74 nations. Motions from the Plenary session of the Congress were considered by subsequent meetings of the World Archaeological Congress Council and Executive.